On Saturday 26 Nov 2011, Shamit Verma wrote:
"The SSN was originally devised to keep an accurate record of each individual’s earnings, and to subsequently monitor benefits paid under the Social Security program. However, use of the Social Security number as a general identifier has grown to the point where it is the most commonly used and convenient identifier for all types of record-keeping systems in the United States."
This discussion is growing more and more OT, but nothing there says that the SSN is mandatory for any purpose other than Social Security. Nor is a passport mandatory in India, nor a PAN card, nor a driver's licence nor a voter ID card. However, UIDAI is trying to make the UID mandatory for central government-provided services, the most recent example being inability to get an LPG refill (yes, refill -- not a new connection) without a UID.
Anyhow, the news is that a case has been filed in the Bengaluru High Court to have the UIDAI and all its works declared illegal. The case was filed yesterday (November 25). Interesting to see what happens.
Regards,
-- Raj